Motor-control system.



E. W. STULL. MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEM.

I APPLIOATION FILED DEC. 31, 1906.

91 6,898 Patented M31230, 1909; I Z'SHEBTS-SHEET 1.

EJ STULL. MOTOR CONTROL SYSTEM. APPLIOATION FILED 13110.31, 1906.

Z'snznws-snnm 2.

Patented Mar. 30, 1909.

Kmwcw amazc mm i Wa e)? wood in the county of Hamilton and State allel's'witch. a I l Another object of my invention is to d1-"' To all whom it mag concern:

place, as beneath the car between the two ate in this manner I canconnect their opertor-reversing switc'lif 'This I accomplish by EMMETT W. STULL, OF NORWOOD, OHIO, ASSI 'PORATION OF NEW JERSEY, AND

A CORPORATION OF OHIO.

GNOB. T0 'ALLIS-GHA MERS COMPANY, A con THE BuLLoe ELnc rRre MANUFACTURING COMPANY,

Moron-common (SYSTEM.

Specification of I letlzezrs I M81011, 3Q, 1909.

Application fi led December e larg ment.

Be it known that I, EMMETT W. STULL, citizen of the United States, residing at Norof Ohio, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Motor-Control Systems, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact specification.

My invention relates to systems of motorv control, and especially to those train control systems in which a number of separable units may be controlled from any deslred point on the train.

It often happens that a short-circuit or other similar trouble occurs in one of the motors of a car. This in the control systems now in use causes thefmain circuit-breaker to open and thereby cuts out all the motors of that caruntil the disabled motor hasbeen properly cut out. Often it is difficult to determine which is the disabled motor. In my invention I aim to overcome these difiiculties by having a fuse or other circuit-breaker for each motor, this fuse being of such carr ing capacity that in case ofan overload on that particular motor alone, the fuse of that motorwill blow and the other motors will continue'in'service, at least in certain positions of the controller." Moreover I arrange. these fuses or circuit-breakers on the same supporting plate with a set" of cut out. switches, one ioreach motor, and in such re lation to the cut-otxt swithhes that theblowing of the fuse of one of the motors indicates which of the cut-out switches should be opened. This supportinglplate is preferably located in some accessib e= butcunexposed trucks. I

Another object of my invention is to so arrange certain switches of the controlling sys tem that they will close simultaneously and open successively. This is especially advantageous for localizing the arcing at one switch. By arranging the switches to operating means in series and avoid the use of one or more train Wires. The switches which I have arranged to operate in this manner are thecircuit;closing switch and the series-parminish the loss of energy in operating the moswitches which connect them in parallel.

these interlocks are often sources of trouble,

providing a'mastermeining switch which controls said .main re and which upon-being moved tqoither-operative ..pos'ition remains there "only 'for a predetermined time after being'released by the handof the operator, thenmoving to an indicating .positioncorrespondin to the operative position which itihas just eft. v the train control systems now in use itis customary to have interlocks between the switches which connect the motors of-iany one unit of the system inseries and" the I aim in my present invention to avoid'this. trouble by arranging the connections so that the same switch in different ositions connects the motors indifl'erent re ations. It is also customary in train control systems to I have a circuit-breaker for opening the main circuit in case of an overload thereon. As this'circuit-breaker is generally mounted on the motormans platform so as to be readily accessible, and as it carries the full motor current, the arcing which occurs when it is o ened is startling to the passengers and perhaps dangerous as well. I

My present invention provides a system in which an overload on the main circuit incapacitates the master controller, thereby causing the main controller to open the oilcuit. This circuit opening takes lace at the regular circuit making and hreaking switch or switches of the. main controller 'where provision for suppressing arcing is already made. Thus a main overload circuit-breaker with special arc-extinguishing Furthermore, in

means is unnecessary. Moreover, no arcing takes place in view of the passengers.

Many other features of my invention'will cars or units of a train control system, Fig.

2 is a plan view of the master; reversing switch in neutral position.

Figs. 3 and 4. a

are views'showing this switch in'indicating and operating positions respectively. Fig.5 iis' a,..secti nal view of tliseriespar',llel

ating means for the main reversing switch;

Fig. 7 is a partial view of' 'the main reversing switch. "Fig. 6 'is a partial view of the operally a train of two cars equipped with my .im roved control system.

11 the drawings, it to i represent train wires of my improved train control system. In the drawings these Wires are shown as extending throughout the length of one car only. If several cars are coupled to form"a train, the train wires of each car may be joined to corresponding train wires of the adjacent cars by connectors 10 of any desired type. From the train wires a to i lead other wires which extend to the master controllers 11 and 11 and the main or motor controller O. In Fig. 1 the master controllers are shown above the train wires while the motor controller together with the motors A and A to be controlled are shown below the train wires, A master controller is shown at each end of each car, one being in elevation and one in diagram. These two master controllers are identical in structure, and only one will be described in detail.

The master controller 11 consists of a main controlling drum 12 and a reversing switch 13, both shown in development; A blowout magnet 14 may be provided,,this blowout magnet being preferably arranged in any well known manner so that it serves to suppress arcing at both the main drum and the reversing switch of the master controller.

The main drum of the master controller has operative ositions 1 to 9 inclusive. The first five 0 these positions co rol the series connection of the motors A d A while the last four control the parallel connection of said motors.

The main motor controllerv O consists of a circuit closing switch 15, resistance varyin switches 16 to 19 inclusive, a series-paralle switch 20, and a main reversing switch 21. The switches 15 to 19 are each pfilvi'ded with a blow-out coil 22 and may be operated by means of solenoids 23 to 27 inclusive. One terminal of the solenoid 23 is connected to a point 28 between the operating solenoids 29 and 30 of the series-parallel switch 20. One terminal of each of the solenoids 24 to 27 is grounded. The remaining terminals of the I wires 4, h, g,

switches 16- to19 when closed out out of solenoids 23 are connected to the train f and .e respectively. The

circuit the resistance sections 31' to 34 I res ectively. i

the position in which it is shown and returns he series-parallel 20is normally in ,tosuchosition when its associated magnets "while the; other terminalg re all eener ed. The operating magnets 9 and'30 of iii: switch when energized move heswitch into contact with its two sets of contacts and s r'espectivel as shown in F' s. -l.1.-and; 5. One termina -of each of the 0 s12 andBD'is connected to-the point 28 of these two coils to the train wires (1 and 0 re-. 1

36 is energized when the switch 20 is in its series position, engaging contacts 8, in which position it holds said switch until the motor circuit is interrupted at some other point. This series-parallel switch has but one movable member 37 carrying two bridging contacts 38 and 39, which are insulated from each other as indicated. hangs normally in a vertical position, as best shown in Fig. 5, but can be moved to one side or the other according as the coil 29 or 30 is energized. This series-parallel switch is preferably inclosed by a casing 40, as shown in Fig. 5.

The main reversing switch 21 comprises two sets of segments 41 and 42, and 43 and 44, mounted u on a common shaft 45. This shaft is prefera ly squared at the place where the segments are mounted, as best shown in Fig. 7. The segments 41 to 44 are insulated from each other and from the shaft 45. These segments cooperate with contact fingers 46, connected as shown in Fig. 1. An arm 47, fixed on the shaft 45 and operatively connected to the cores of the solenoids 4S and 49, allows said reversing switch to be moved by said solenoids through an angle of 90 to reverse the connections of the motor field windings F and F One terminal of each of the solenoids 48. and 49 is grounded while the other terminals of these two solenoids are connected tothe train wiresfb and (1 respec-- The main reverslng switch 21 will tively. remain in either position in which it is placed, thus rendering it unnecessary to continuously energize its operating solenoids 48 and 49.

.The master reversing switch 13 is arranged to take advantage of this. This switch, which is of the drum type, has two bridging contacts 50 and 51 as shown. 'llhesc two contacts are mounted on the drum 13 as shown in Figs. 2 to 4 inclusive. On the shaft 52 of this drum is also mounted a notch plate 53 which cooperates with a spring- The member 37 pressed pawl or roller 54. An arm 55 ex,-v

tends from the notch ate 53 and is connected to the plunger 0 a dash-pot 57. This dash-pot, here shown as an air dash-pot, is provided with slots 58, .to allow unretarded motion of the dash-pot piston and connected parts while said piston is near the central,

part of the dash-pot. These slots however do not extend entirely to the end of the dashpot so thatthev do not prevent the retarding efiect of thedash-pot when the'pistonis near either end thereof. The dash-pot is also rovided with valves 59 and 60, which are iased to closed position but open when the piston 56 approaches the end of the dash-pot at which they are located, thus allowing this movement of the piston to be unhindered. These valves, however close as the piston is moved away from their respective ends of the dash-pot, so that as it moves'toward its central position the dash-pot will retard its connected parts until the piston reaches the slots 58. The arm 55 has no tendency to movement when the master reversing switch is in its neutral position N, as shown in Fig. 2,

or in the indicating positions for forward or backward movement, F and B respectively,

as shown in Fig. 3. As this switch, however,

is moved to its operative forward or backward positions F or 'B, the arm 55 compresses one or the other of springs 61 and 62, and consequently when the handle 63 is'released by the operator when the controller is in ,20 either of 'ts operative positions, say position F, the sprin .61 expanding moves the reversing switch roni its operative position F to its corresponding indicating position F. During the first part of this movement, while 25. the bridging contact 50 remains in engagement with its cooperating contact finger, the movement is retarded bythe dash-pot 57. Just as the contact 50 and its cooperating contact fingers are about .to se 'arate, thedash-pot (piston 56 reaches the s ots 58 and the retar mg action of the dash-pot ceases,

so that the contacts of this master reversing switch are able to break en agement with a snap action. The drum 13 is s opped in the position F, as shown in Fig. 3, indicate in which direction it has iust been closed. This stopping is effected by the spring-pressed pawl 54, cooperating with the notch plate 53, and also because the spring 61 ceases to act at this point.

The motor circuit on each car is supplied from a trolley T through a manual. switch 64 and a solenoid coil 65. The controlling.cir cuit on each car is taken as a shunt from the main circuit through the manual switch 66 and the arm 67 of an automatic circuitbreaker. This circuit-breakermay be of any desired type and is here shown as being spring-pressed to either on or oii position by a spring 68. The operating coil of this circuit-breakcr is the coil. in the main motor circuit. Should an overload occur the coil =65 will trip the circuit-breaker 67 and open the controlling circuit, which in turn will 55 cause all the switches 15 to 20 to open and cause the arcing. due to opening the main. circuit to be taken'by the switch 15, where pro vision is made for taking care of it. The current in the controlling circuit being compara- 60. tively light no blow-out arrangement is generally necessary at the circuit-breaker 67v though a blow-out coil may be provided if desired.

At someacct'ssible place around the car,

6 preferably below the floorqf the car'between I the two trucks if the car is a double truck car, a supporting plate 69 is placed. Upon this plate are placed the cut-out switches 70, 71 and'72 and the fuses 73, 74 and75. The switches 70 and 71 are connected to operate 7o,

together and when open cut out the motor A. The switch 72 when open cuts out the motor A The fuses 73, 74 and 75 are mounted directly above the switches 70, 71- and 72 respectively or in some other indicat 75 ing relation thereto, and are in series 'therewith. Should an overload occur on one of the motors only or should a short-circuit take place in the windings of such motor, the fuse or fuses associated with that motor will blow and automatically cut that motor out of circuit.. The other motor maytstill be used intheparallel position of the controller. By having the switches and fuses in indicating proximity-to each other the motorrnan or other operator may determine at. a glance which motor sustained the overload and therefore which cut-out switch should be opened. The fuses 7 3, 74 and 75 are preferably arranged-to blow at a smaller current v than is required to trip the circuit-breaker 67. The operation of the-system is as follows:

'The switch 64 is closed on all the cars of the train. The circuit-breaker 67 and the manual switch 66 are closed for the master controller which .is to-be used to control the train. The'operator moves his master rcversing switch 13 to its proper position F or B as the case may be, and releases it. If forward movement is desired the switch 13 is moved to position F, completing the circuit- ;from the trolley to the train wire I) and thence through the coil 48 of the main reversing switch of each car to ground. This circuit is broken at the switch 13 after a predetermined time by the action of the spring 61 retarded bythe dash-pot 57 as explained above. Should backward movement have been desired, the master reversing switch would have been moved to position B and would have completed the circuit from the trolley to the train wire a and tlience'to the coil 49 of the main'reversing switch on each car. In either case the spring 61 ,or- 62 will move the master reversing switch to the proper indicating position after a -p-red'ete r mined time aftersaid switch'has been released by the operator. lhe main reversing switches of all the cars are now in the same position, say the forward'position as shown in Fig. 1. v

' The main controlling drum 1;: master controller is now moved to 1. This completes a circuit from th to' the train wire 0 and thenceon each through the coil 30 of the series-par resistance section 31.

' respectively, the motors master controller to ground. The operation of the series-parallel switch 20 and the circuit-closing switch 15 is the same on each car of the tram.

is moved to position 2 the connection from the train wire i directly to ground is broken v and said wire is connected to ground through the solenoid 24 on each car, said solemclosing the switch 16 to out out the first section 31 of the resistance. tions 3, 4 and 5 the solenoids 25, 26 and 27 are respectively energized thus cutting out the resistance sections 32, 33 and 34, and the solenoids 241, 25 and 26 denergized, thus saving the energy which would pended in them. moved from position sistance sections 31 to again and the switches 15 and 20 successively o ened. This successive o enin is due to the factthat the switch 20 1S helt in series position by the coil 36 after the coil 30 has been denergized until the main circuit is opened at the switch 15. Then, after the master controller passes a position midway between positions 5 and 6, the coils 23 and 29 are simultaneously energized and simultaneously close the switches 15 to 20, the latter in its arallel position. When the master controfiing switch reaches position 6 the switch 16 is also closed to out out In positions 7, 8 and 9 of the master controller the resistance sections 32, 33 and 34 are cut out by the operation of the switches, 17 18 and 19 A? and A during this time being connected in parallel.

From position 9 the controller may be arranged to move either backward or'forward to OH position asdesired. In either case it breaks the controlling circuit during this move'm'ent to on position, and may or may not complete said circuit again. By breaking the controlling circuit the coils 23 and 29 are the coil 35 holds the series-parallel switch closed until after-the motor circuit has been broken at the switch 15. The coils 35 and 36 are arranged to be energized only when the series-parallel switch and series positions respectively. By having these holding coils it is possible to prevent any arcing at this switch and causing all of the arcing to take place at the circuitclosing switch 15, where provision is made for extin uishing it; The switches 15 and 20 thus 0 ose simultaneously and open successiv'ely.

Should one short-circuited the fuses in the circuit of blow automatically and cut out that motor from circuit while enabling 'the motors on the other cars and the remaining motor or of the motors on any car be or overloaded YVhen the master controller cut-out switch being positively its proximity to the In posibe ex- If the master controller is 5 to position 6 the re- 34 are cut into circuit controlled means simultaneously 'denergized but is in its, parallel.

in any way, that motor will to continue tooperate, at least in the parallel ositions of. the master controller. It is pre erable however that the motorman or other operator should immediately disconnect the disabled motor switch, thisproper cut-out indicated by fuse which has blown.

by means of the he operation of has been ex lained hereinabove.

Many mo ifications in the precise arrangements here shown and described will be obvious to any one skilled in the art and all such modifications which come within the spirit and scope I aim to cover in the following claims.

What I claim as new by Letters Patent is In a system of motor control, a plurality of motors, a switch for connecting said motors in different relations, a second switch for closing the motor circuit, remotely controlled means for closing said switches simultaneously, and means for holding the first switch closed until the second switch has been opened.

2. In a system of motor control, a plurality of motors, a switch for connecting said motors in series and in parallel, a second switch for closing the motor circuit, remotely for closing said switches simultaneously, and means for holding the first switch closed until the motor circuit is roken.- I r 3. In a system of motor control, a plural ity of motors, a switch for connecting said motors in various relations, a plurality of independent actuating means for respectively moving said switch into its different positions, a second switch for closing the motor circuit, a'ctuatin means for closing said second switch, and the simultaneous operation of the actuating means ofthe secondswitch and any one of and desire to secure the actuating means ofthe first switch.

control, a plurality of motors, a switch for the circuit-breaker 67 means for causing motors in various relations, a plurality of independent actuating means. for respec tively moving said switch into its different positions, a second switch for closing the motor circuit, actuating means for closing said second switch, means for causing the simultaneous operation of the actuating means of'tlie second switch and any one of the actuating means of the first switch, and means for holding said first switch closed until the second switch has opened.

5. In a system of motor control, a plural ity of motors, a switch for connecting said motors in series and in parallel, actuating means formcving said switch into its different positions, a second switch for closing the motor circuit, actuating means for closing said second switch, means for causing the simultaneous operation 'foi the l I means of Lhg two switches,- andmeansfor holding said tense" to motor circuit is broken.

6. In a system of motor control, a plural-'- ity of motors, a switch for connecting said motors in series and in parallel, -a plurality of independent actuating -means for respectively moving said switch into it's different,

positions, a second switch for closing the motor circuit, actuating means for closing said second switch, means for causing the simultaneous operation .of' the actuating means of the second switch and either of the actuating means of'. the first switch, and magnets for holding said first switch closed until the motor circuit is broken.

8. In a system ofmotor control, a plural- I ity of motors, a switch forconnecting said motors in various relations, actuating means for moving said switchintodts diiierent positions, a second switch for closing the motor circuit, actuating means for closing said second switch, means for causing the simultaneous operation of the actuating means of the two switches, and a magnet for lmldlng said first switch closed until the motor circuit is broken.

' 9. In a system of motor control, a plural-. ity of motors, a switch for connecting-said.

motors in series and in parallel, a plurality of independent actuating means for respectively moving said switch into its differentpositions, a second switch for closing the motor circuit, actuating means for closing said second switch, means for causing the simultaneous operation of the actuating means of the second switch and either of the actuating means of the first switch, and a 'magnet for holding said first switch closed until said second switch-is opened. v c 10. In a system of motor control, a plurality of motors, a switch for connecting said motors in series and in parallel, a plurality of independent actuating means for respectively moving said switch into its different positions, a second switch for closlng the motor circuit, actuating means forclosing 1" said second switch, means-for causing the simultaneous operation of' the actuating means of the second'switch and any one of the'actuatingmeans ofthe first switch, and

magnets. respectively energized when said first switch is closed in its various positions lr closed until. the

for holding said first switch in said position 'unt1l said second switch is opened.

11'. In a system of motor control, a plurality oi motors, a switch for connecting said motors in various relations, independent actuating means for moving-said switch into its different positions, a second switch for closing the motor circuit, actuating means for closing saidsecond switch, means for causing the simultaneous operation of the actuatmg means of the two switches, and magnets respectively energized when said first switch is closed in its different positions for. holding said first switch in said position until the motor circuit is interrupted.

12,- In combination, a plurality of separate switckes in series, and means whereby said switc es are closed simultaneously and opened successively.

13. In combination, a plurality of switches in series, magnets arranged to close said switches simultaneously, and means for holding one of said switches closed until'another has opened 14. In a system of control, a plurality of switches in series, and remotely controlled means for causingsaid switches to close simultaneously and open successively.

15. In a system of control, a controlled circuit, a plurality of switches in said ciruit, remotely controlled means for closing said switches simultaneously, and means for holdv ing one of said switches closed until'the other has been opened. X, v

.16. In a system of control, a controlled circuit, a plurality of switches in said circuit, remotely controlled means forclosing said switches simultaneously, and means for hold-,

' ing one of said switches closed until the controlled circuit has been broken.

circuit, a plurality of switches in said circuit,

. 1 ts 17. In a system of control,--a controlled a plurality of magnets connected in series for respectively closin said switches, and a magnet in the control ed circuit forholding trolled circuit is broken. v v

18. In a system of control, aplurality of switches in series, magnets for closing said switches, and means for causing the simultaneous operation of said magnets, and for holding one of said switches closed until thef.

other has been opened.

19. In a system of control, a plurality of switches in series, magnets for closing said switches, means for causing the simultaneous operation of said magnets, and a solenoid one of .said switches closed until said'con-- arranged to hold one of said switches closed-.-

until the circuit through the other has. been,

opened. r 1 v, r

20. In a system of motor control, a motor,

a reversing switch for said motor, said switch being arranged to remain 1n e1t her operatwe position, and a master controlling switch for controlling said reversing switch, said master controlling. switch being biased to open position.

21. In a system of motor control, a motor, a main reversing switch for said motor, said switch being arranged to remain in either operative position, and a master reverser for said main reversing switch, said master reverser being arranged to cause the o. eration of the mainreversing switch in e ther direction but to denergize the actuating means for said main reversing switch a predetermined time after the master reverser is released by the operator. V

22. In a system of motor control, a motor, a main reversing switch for said motor, and a master reverser for controlling the main reversing switch,- said master reverser' having indicating and operating positions for each position of the main reversing switch and l being biased when in an operating position to. the corresponding indicating position.

23. Ina system of motor control, a motor, an electrically operated. main reversing switch therefor, and a master reversing switch for controlling the operating means. of said main reversing switch, said master reversing switch having indicating and o crating positions-for each osition of tl i e main reversing. switch an be' when in an operating'position to t spending indicating position. y

In testimony whereof I aflix my signature ,f; in the presenceof two witnesses. EMMETTW. STULLJ;v

Witnesses:

GEO .'B. ScnLEY, FRED! J @KmsEY biased e corre-v 

